US President Joe Biden took his first flight aboard the Sikorsky VH-92A Patriot helicopter, the latest model serving as Marine One.
The flight occurred on August 19, 2024, after President Biden arrived at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on the Air Force One Boeing VC-25 aircraft. It carried the US president from O’Hare to the parking lot of Chicago’s Soldier Field stadium. Later in the evening, the president was scheduled to address the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
This landmark flight follows the US Navy’s Presidential Helicopters Program Office (PMA-274) and US Marine Corps’ acceptance of the final VH-92A helicopter from Sikorsky earlier in August 2024. With this delivery, the program concludes its mission to provide 23 new helicopters designed for presidential use.
“Not only have we delivered increased performance and reduced maintenance costs and time over the current fleet of presidential helicopters, but we have also delivered the next phase of Marine One helicopters,” said Colonel Alex Ramthun, PMA-274 Program Manager. “Knowing those who step aboard any of the 21 VH-92A will have absolute top-notch execution, maintenance, and service for the life of the aircraft makes me proud to be part of this amazing team.”
The new fleet comprises 21 operational helicopters and two designated for testing. This allows for continuous support of the executive transport mission, ensuring that maintenance, upgrades, and training for pilots and crew members can proceed without disrupting service.
Finding the new Marine One
The VH-92A’s journey to becoming Marine One began after the VH-71 Kestrel program was terminated in 2009 due to extensive delays. Subsequently, the Navy’s VXX program was relaunched to find a viable replacement for the aging VH-3D Sea King and VH-60N White Hawk helicopters.
After evaluation, Sikorsky’s VH-92A was selected in 2014 as the new presidential helicopter, with PMA-274 awarding a contract valued at about $5 billion. The following year, Sikorsky was acquired by Lockheed Martin.
The Sikorsky VH-92A helicopter is based on the S-92 aircraft and includes an enhanced mission communications system and an executive interior. It offers improved range and cabin space compared to the VH-3D and VH-60N aircraft.
In a 2020 report, the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the VH-92A program was “generally on target with cost and schedule,” despite “some communications software issues still need[ing] to be resolved.” By November 2021, the initial two prototypes had been delivered.
The US Marine Corps (USMC), in collaboration with the White House Military Office, PMA-274, and Marine Helicopter Squadron One (HMX-1), has been working diligently to ensure a seamless transition to the new aircraft.
Based at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico in Virginia, HMX-1 serves as the dedicated USMC helicopter squadron, entrusted with the responsibility of providing transportation for the president and vice president of the United States, among other VIPs.
HMX-1 currently operates a mix of 10 VH-3D, six VH-60N, and nine VH-92A helicopters to support a variety of presidential missions, with the VH-92A set to replace the older models in the fleet gradually. Prior to Biden’s maiden flight, the VH-92A fleet was already conducting transportation flights for presidential and security personnel.